2/09/2009 @ 6:00PM

In Pictures: NASCAR's Highest-Earning Drivers

3. Jimmie Johnson

Earnings: $23 million

Team: Hendrick Motorsports

No. 48 Chevrolet

Sponsor: Lowe’s

Johnson, who’s won the last three Sprint Cups, earned $15 million in salary and race winnings last year, $2 million more than any other driver. Times are good for NASCAR’s best driver. Sales of “three-peat” merchandise in November and December topped sales of his championship paraphernalia from 2007, despite the sluggish economy.